COOKING TUMORS BY MICROWAVE

Dartmouth scientists and engineers are experimenting with microwaves to "cook" malignant tumors. The idea of using heat to control cancer originated in ancient Egypt and was later discussed by Hippocrates. The College began refining the idea in the early 1970s when Evan Douple, director of radiobiology research at Mary Hitchcock's cancer center, teamed up with John Strohbehn, acting provost and professor of engineering at the Thayer School, and Physics Profes- sor John Walsh. The three developed a needle-thin microwave antenna that is inserted into the tumor site through a catheter and used to heat cancerous tissues to a subtle fever range of 107 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The technique, called hyperthermia, has been used on tumors in many sites including the brain and abdomen. When researchers combine radiation with heat many more cancer cells are killed than with radiation.

Strohbehn predicts that understanding the true benefit to the patient will take another five to ten years. Two main challenges targeting the heat directly at the tumor, and precisely monitoring the temperature range by computer have nearly been mastered. Strohbehn says it is feasible that this marriage of radiobiology, medicine and engineering will someday make microwave hyperthermia a standard cancer treatment.

Causing a low-grade fever in cancerous tissues, researchers boost the effects of radiation therapy.